Outboard marine starter-generator dynamo



March 23, 1965 OUTBOARD Filed Feb. 10, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z i l w 0 0:57 INVENTOR.

PAYMONDJ. DEW/1570A ATIWPME'Y March 23, 1965 R. s. DENNISTON 3,175,095

OUTBOARD MARINE STARTER-GENERATOR DYNAMO Filed Feb. 10, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C j INVEN TOR.

RAYMOND 5. fllX/N/JTON W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,175,095 OUTBOARD MARINE STARTER-GENERATOR DYNAMO Raymond S. Denniston, Middletown, NJ., assignor to The Bendix Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 7,913 3 Claims. (Cl. 290-38) The present invention relates to dynamoelectric machines and more particularly to a starter generator for an outboard marine engine.

Heretofore in outboard marine engines it has been necessary to have separate dynamoelectric machines for starting and generating systems. This involved additional expense and also requires more space for installation. One of the major diificulties in using the same machine for starting and generating is that for starting it is necessary for the rotation to be in one direction and for generating in the other. In addition to a change in direction of rotation it is necessary to shift the polarity of the brushes.

The present invention provides a single dynamoelectric which, as a motor, starts the output engine, disengages, reverses rotation, and automatically becomes a belt driven generator to provide battery and accessory power.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel starter-generator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel starter-generator system for an outboard marine engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel drive arrangement for a dynamoelectric machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple electrical system for an outboard marine engine.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein one embodiment is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a dynamoelectric machine embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cutaway end view of the coupling member of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-43 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of a system utilizing the invention.

In the drawing similar parts have been assigned the same reference numerals in the various figures.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 4, a dynamoelectric machine is indicated generally by the numeral 5 and may be of the standard automotive type construction. The machine 5 has an armature 6, series winding 7 and shunt winding 8. Brushes 9 and 10 are radially located in the center of the pole pieces in insulated brush boxes. The machine 5 is designed so that the armature 6 rotates clockwise when operating as a motor and counterclock wise when operating as a generator. While a two pole machine has been illustrated, it is understood that other conventional types could be used. Further the direction of rotation could be in the opposite if conditions so require.

A novel feature of the invention is the means for coupling the machine 5 to an outboard marine engine. The armature 6 has a shaft 11 extending therefrom. The shaft 11 may be supported by suitable hearings in the housing of the machine 5. The shaft 11 has a helical splined section 12 upon which is mounted a starter drive 13. The starter drive 13 may be the conventional Bendix rubber compression type starter drive similar to that used in automobiles. The starter drive 13 includes a pinion gear 14 adapted, upon the machine 5 being energized as a motor, to mesh with ring gear 15 on flywheel 16 of an outboard marine engine (not illlustrated). The machine 5 may be secured to the outboard marine engine by any suitable mounting bracket.

Also mounted on the shaft 11 by a bearing 17 is a sprocket 18. The sprocket 18 is secured on the shaft 11 by ring 19. The sprocket 18 is free revolving on the shaft 11. A cog belt 20, engaging the sprocket 18 and a sprocket 21 on the flywheel 16 of the outboard marine engine, drives the sprocket 18. Mounted on the sprocket 18 and secured for rotation thereby is a cage 22 containing slugs or weights 23. The outer face of the slugs 23 have a friction material 24 secured thereto. The friction material 24 may be of the type normally used for brake linings.

A circular member 25 having an axially extending flange 26 is mounted on the shaft 11 and is secured for rotation therewith by a key 27. Rings 28 and 29 retain the member 25 in position.

In operation a triple pole reversing switch 30 connects the machine 5 to a battery 31 as a motor for start ing the outboard marine engine. Upon reversal of the switch 30 the machine 5 is connected to the battery 31 as a generator. When connected as a generator a regulator 32, indicated as a variable resistor, may be inserted in the shunt field circuit. It is understood that the regulator may be of a conventional type such as used in automobiles.

Upon the machine 5 being energized as a starter, the pinion gear 14 advances on the splines 12 of the shaft 11 to mesh with the ring gear 15 to crank the outboard marine engine. As the flywheel of the outboard marine engine starts rotating, the cog belt 20 rotates the sprocket 18 in the reverse direction from that of the machine 5 when operating as a starter. Upon the outboard marine engine firing, the switch 39 is reversed de-energizing the machine 5 as a motor which will then come to a stop.

Upon the outboard engine coming up to a predetermined speed, for example 2000 rpm, the sprocket 18 will be driven at a sufiicient speed by the belt 20 to cause the slugs 23 to move outward and engage the flange 26 of the member 25. The centrifugal force is suflicient to couple the member 25 for rotation by the sprocket 18, thus causing the machine 5 to be driven as a generator. Thus a single dynamoelectric machine functions both as a starter and as a generator. When operating as a starter a pinion gear connects the machine to the engine and when operating as a generator is connected by centrifugal means to be driven by the engine.

Although only one example of the invention has been illustrated and described, various changes in the form and relative arrangement of the parts, which will now appear to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A starter-generator for an internal combustion engine having a flywheel associated therewith, comprising a dynamoelectric machine having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom, a starter drive mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage the flywheel of said engine when said dynamoelectric machine is rotating in one direction, a sprocket mounted for free rotation on said shaft, means including a belt for driving said sprocket in another direction by said flywheel, and centrifugal means upon said sprocket being driven above a predetermined speed to connect said shaft for rotation by said sprocket in said last named direction.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 and including a double throw switch for energizing said machine as a motor when in one position and for energizing said machine as a generator when in the other position.

3. A starter-generator system for an outboard marine sprocket for connecting said sprocket to said shaft whereby said machine is driven as a generator by said engine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Apple Oct. 8, 1912 Bendix Mar. 5, 1918 Bliss Jan. 16, 1923 Bradford May 25, 1926 Dalrymple Jan. 24, 1956 

1. A STARTER-GENERATOR FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING A FLYWHEEL ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, COMPRISING A DYNAMOELECTRIC MACHINE HAVING A ROTATABLE SHAFT EXTENDING THEREFROM, A STARTER DRIVE MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE FLYWHEEL OF SAID ENGINE WHEN SAID DYNAMOELECTRIC MACHINE IS ROTATING IN ONE DIRECTION, A SPROCKET MOUNTED FOR FREE ROTATION ON SAID SHAFT, MEANS INCLUDING A BELT FOR DRIVING SAID SPROCKET IN ANOTHER DIRECTION BY SAID FLYWHEEL, AND CENTRIFUGAL MEANS UPON SAID SPROCKET BEING DRIVEN ABOVE A PREDETERMINED SPEED TO CONNECT SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION BY SAID SPROCKET IN SAID LAST NAMED DIRECTION. 